How can I use a refill colour cartridge with X3690?

A previous printer let me print even though it showed "out of ink": the X3690 software does not let me print at all (except in black!). Is there a workround or a modification I can do?
thanks
Colin Colby

I know the problem can be made to go away by buying a new cartridge; what I would like to know is if there is any other solution that will let me reuse cartridges which are not only half price but also good for the planet.I know the problem can be made to go away by buying a new cartridge; what I would like to know is if there is any other solution that will let me reuse cartridges which are not only half price but also good for the planet.

I am certain the refill is full, because I saw it being refilled. Further, it was a genuine lexmark cartridge that I had already used in the printer. This printer (X3690) just does not recognise such a refill. My original question still stands; maybe someone understands how the printer recognises the difference between a new and a refilled cartridge, and what if anything can be done to suppress this inhibit on using a refill.I am certain the refill is full, because I saw it being refilled. Further, it was a genuine lexmark cartridge that I had already used in the printer. This printer (X3690) just does not recognise such a refill. My original question still stands; maybe someone understands how the printer recognises the difference between a new and a refilled cartridge, and what if anything can be done to suppress this inhibit on using a refill.

An expert who has finished #1 on the weekly Top 10 Fixya Experts Leaderboard.

Superstar:

An expert that got 20 achievements.

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

Lexmark Master

77,499 Answers

Re: how can I use a refill colour cartridge with X3690?

Just because the refill is full doesn't mean there isn't an issue with the printed circuit on the cartridge that heats and delivers ink to print, the easiest thing to do is plug in another cart and see if that works, if it does then the used cart is no good, I have been using refilled cart's for years and have found they work about 4 refills then the printed circuit fails and it won't print, I think that is what is going on with your refilled cart. there is one thing that u can do, soak the cart print head in hot water for 5 minutes, then hold a paper towel over the print end and shake or spin it to get the ink flowing, sometimes there is an air pocket, on occasion this cures the problem.

I understood your question and .u can definately use the cartreidge which is refilled.there is a system that you should get the cartridge detected to the printer.as that is not detected so this problem.just click printer properties.--------in that go to printing preferences--------in that you will get the option called---------option-------just click that --so you will get the new option--------lexmark solution center---------in that lexmark solution center it is given the option as replacement of cartridge.-------------there u will be able to get the cartridge selected as refilled or new and the cartridge number.select proper cartridge numbers of both colour and black.and select new cartridges for both colour and blavck.they will print after that selection.

Printers are like cell phones... the companies sell them at subsidized prices so they can attempt to lock you into there service or in this case ink cartridges... that's how they make most of their money.... refills should work tho

It will usually let you print even though it says "out of ink" if the cartridge is not the right one for the printer because it can not be read by that printer to find out how much ink is actually left. You will most likely have to buy a new color ink cartridge that works with your printer you have now so it will give you accurate information on how much ink is left. You should be able to print in color also with black when you get the new cartridge, which you should find for or around $25.

When you get a refill cartridge, the place usually gives you any cartridge that is similar to your cartridge, even though it still can not be read by your printer. Refills are tricky like that, which makes it hard to find out how much ink is left in the cartridge. If you want accurate read-outs, you will need to buy a new cartridge that actually works with your printer. Your refill is most likely empty.When you get a refill cartridge, the place usually gives you any cartridge that is similar to your cartridge, even though it still can not be read by your printer. Refills are tricky like that, which makes it hard to find out how much ink is left in the cartridge. If you want accurate read-outs, you will need to buy a new cartridge that actually works with your printer. Your refill is most likely empty.

2 Suggested Answers

Hi,
a 6ya Technician can help you resolve that issue over the phone in a minute or two.
Best thing about this new service is that you are never placed on hold and get to talk to real repair professionals here in the US. click here to Talk to a Technician (only for users in the US for now) and get all the help you need. Goodluck!

Tell us some more! Your answer needs to include more details to help people.You can't post answers that contain an email address.Please enter a valid email address.The email address entered is already associated to an account.Login to postPlease use English characters only.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the method how printer measures the ink level.

1. Each cartridge has a serial number.
2. As soon as installation in printer, printer recognizes the cartridge by serial #.
3. And the printer starts to count the printing document.
4. After reaching certain print counting, the ink level will show "low ink"

So my answer is even if you refilled your cartridge, the ink level won't change,
since printer cannot weight the cartridge or.....some other technology to measure each color ink level.

I haven't tried the Colour/B&W/Stop button combination suggested above, but on a Canon MG5250, switching off, then on, and immediately holding down the 'stop' button for 20-30 secs does seem to disable the block. After that the colour concerned has no indicator. It seems that refilled cartridges will woork for a few refills (showing low ink on the indicator) before requiring the permanent fix.

Hi thereDell Printer 944 error message 1102Please unplug the printer from the wall. Now remove the power brick from the back of the printer for 60 seconds. Now plug everything back in. This will reset any error messages the printer has. Now open the printer with the power on and the cartridges should go to the center to be replaced. Take out both Dell Series 5 ink cartridges and make sure the tape is off the cartridges and insert both back in and make sure the seat properly and latch. Close the printer and it should print an alignment page. If you still get the error messageWhy does my Dell ink cartridge level still show up as "low ink" after refilling them? Dell ink cartridges have a sensor that reports the ink level as low once it reaches a certain level. The sensor can notbe reset. If you refill an ink cartridge that previously reported low ink, it may print fine, but the sensor will alwaysreport low ink. Buying or replacing ink cartridges with new Dell cartridges will resolve the low ink message.Dell discourages ink refills. Refilling ink may lead to print quality problems, and even eventual hardware problems.This post is in no way a validation of refilling ink cartridges.Why my printer is reporting “low ink" after using refilled/remanufactured ink cartridges?Most ink cartridges have sensors that report the ink level.The “Low Ink” is usually the last sensor (fuse) beforerunning out of ink.Since the sensors are fuses that open when the ink level drops, they cannot be reset.If you are using refill orremanufactured ink cartridges, the best thing to do is to disable “ink alerts” on the printer’s software so you don’t keepgetting “low ink” messages.To disable “Ink Alerts” on Dell inkjet printers:1.Open the Dell printer software (All-In One Center, Tool Box, etc)2.Go to Settings3.Advanced4.More Options5.In the “Appearance Mode, window, check “Never display the Printing Status window” and “Display the lowink alert only when the cartridges are almost empty.Please come back and just gave a vote, it will gave me some satisfaction to know am helping some one so I will keep on helping.
All The Best: Pineworks

Without the make and model I can give you the following information: A print cartridge consists of the ink bellows or chambers, ink jets, which meter out ink in known dispensing rates, and a little chip that keeps track of the ink that is dispensed. Commercial refilling houses have the hardware and software to reset the little chips back to "full". And when you purchase that cartridge, it meters out ink from full to empty. There may be a utility in your printer control on your desktop to allow you to override and reset to full yourself. This is dependent upon what brand and model, and the software provided by the printer manufacturer.